Which of the following describes when a SAROPS case may be closed?

• A. When the vessel is moored safely and all persons are assisted or transferred
• B. Only after a new drift simulation is run
• C. Only after the PSDA report is finalized
• D. Only at the end of the day

Answer: (A)

In SAR operations, you close a case when the immediate dangers have been resolved and everyone who needed rescuing is safe and cared for. If the vessel is moored safely and all persons have been assisted or transferred, you’ve achieved the rescue objective and secured the asset, making it appropriate to officially wrap up the case and hand over responsibilities as needed.

Other scenarios aren’t criteria for closing. Running a new drift simulation is part of planning and ongoing analysis, not a signal to end the case. The PSDA report is a post-search analysis task that typically occurs after operations, not a prerequisite for closing. Ending the case simply because the day ends isn’t a justified reason if there are still people needing assistance or the vessel isn’t secured.